Hit And Run Mission To Jeffrey’s Bay

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Hit And Run Mission To Jeffrey’s Bay

All images ©Kolesky/Nikon/Lexar

Hit And Run Mission To Jeffrey’s Bay

by Craig Jarvis, 09 Jan 2012

For the last two years Jordy has won the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay World Tour surfing event, and dare we say it, he has won with relative ease. His dynamic surfing style, his body English and his powerful frame all form perfect synergy with the 300metre long wave that is Supertubes, and Jordy has totally mastered it.

The wave at Jeffreys Bay is a sight to behold. Perfect waves running forever down an endless point. Put Jordy onto a wave and the combination is an absolute treat to witness.

Jeffreys Bay is a wave that works in the South African winter. Big cold fronts lash the Cape Of Storms and work the ocean up into a massive frenzy. These big south west swells then travel 1000 kms up the east coast before they meet the perfect point and optimum bathymetry of Jeffreys Bay. By the time they arrive they are smooth and clean and lined-up, but the also lose loads of energy along the way and become less fierce and wild. In order for these waves to make landfall in Jeffreys Bay they have to be big to start with, and these big swells are a winter trend.

So when the surf charts start showing a decent sized swell heading for Supers in the middle of summer, people start taking notice and planning little excursions. Surfing a cold, winter wave in board shorts is a rare treat. One such surfer who spotted a little bump on the swell charts was Jordy Smith, and off he went to Supers with a few friends and a few new boards.

The forecast swell didn’t materialize as predicted, but there were waves to be ridden, and the water was warm. For Jordy it was a nice break from the relentless crowds, perpetual gale force winds and disheartening crowds of Cape Town in summer.

Four-foot sets reeled down the point for the takers, and takers there were a plenty. Local surfers who had a few days off from work, visiting surfers who were in Jeffreys Bay for Christmas vacation and who just happened to have their boards with them, a couple of foreign surfers who struggled with the rock jump, and a few girls as well. Jordy and crew hit it at first light, surfed for a few hours and scored some bombs. Some big grabs, a couple of finners and some perfect, razor-sharp carves that Jordy is renowned for.

The waves persisted for a few hours before the predicted onshore came up. There were still some good ones coming through, but it wasn’t the perfection that was predicted and expected. So with a few hours in the lineup under the belt, and without further ado, Jordy and crew packed the car, belted the boards onto the roof and headed south to the previously mentioned icy water, crazy wind and even more crazy crowds. Hit and run mission accomplished.